Assembling and balancing skill game



Aug. 12, 1969 M. I- GLASS ET AL ASSEMBLING AND BALANCING SKILL GAME Filed Feb. 9. 1967 INVENTOQS MMV/A/ 64 485 ,Z/APPY D/SZ/O #4455. JEP/VSTiOM BY 5W a ATT d N EYE United States Patent O ASSEMBLIN G AND BALANCING SKILL GAME Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, Harry Disko, Park Ridge, and

Hans E. Jernstrom, Northbrook, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, 111., a partnership Filed Feb. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 614,953 Int. Cl. A63f 9/00 US. Cl. 273-1 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game involving skill in the assembly of removable ladder sections in extending relation to one another, while balancing a figure on the top of a platform sup ported on the uppermost ladder section. A chance device determines the number of ladder sections to be joined together, and a lifenet is provided for catching the figure in the event it topples off the platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various forms of games have been provided heretofore which require skill in the balancing of an object. However, in the present invention there is provided a novel form of game apparatus, which requires a repeated elongation of the supporting means for the balanced object during the play of the game, thus requiring an additional feat of skill on the part of the player while he continues to balance the object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Game apparatus including a plurality of elongated members, supporting means at one end of each elongated member for supportingly engaging another of the members in extending relation thereto, a platform adapted to be removably secured to any of said supporting means, and a part adapted to be freely positioned on the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus, with one portion separated therefrom to illusstrate the manner of playing the game;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the game apparatus, illustrating the upper part thereof, with parts broken away and in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the game apparatus, illustrating the attachment between two adjacent portions;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the chance device used in the game; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the simulated net used in the game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment, the game apparatus (FIGURE 1) comprises a plurality of simulated ladder sections 10, a platform 12 adapted to be supportingly engaged by the uppermost ladder, a figure 14 freely positionable on the platform, a net 16 (FIGURE 5) adapted to catch the figure in the event it falls, and a chance device 18 (FIGURE 4) in the form of a generally conventional spinner means for instructing players in the play of the game.

Each of the ladder sections is provided with a bracket 20 at one end, which includes two outwardly projecting leg portions 22 provided with a bottom ledge 24 and adapted to telescopically receive one end of another ladder section 10'. As indicated in FIGURE 1, each ladder section has an ordinary end portion 26 and an PatentedlAug. 12, 1969 end portion provided with the supporting bracket 20. Each of these supporting brackets is also formed to receive the removable platform 12. The platform 12 is generally circular and includes a pair of ribs 28, 30 on its underside, with one of the ribs indicated at 30 including a pair of slotted portions 32 for engagement With the upper edge 34 of each of the L-shaped members 22 forming the supporting brackets 20. A comical figure 14 representing a fireman carrying a bucket 36 in each hand is provided for mounting on the platform 12. The figure 14 is formed so that it can be balanced on the platform when the connected ladder or ladders 10 are in a generally horizontal position. There is also provided a simulated life net 16, as seen in FIGURE 5, which is to be used by one of the players to catch the fireman figure 14 in the event he falls from the platform. The generally conventional spinner device 18, illustrated in FIGURE 4, is marked to indicate the number of ladders 10 which a player must assemble, as well as a penalty in the form of miss a turn.

In one form of game played with the described apparatus, the players are paired off in teams of two players each, and one of the first team of players spins the spinner 38 on the chance device 18 to receive the teams instructions of play. For example, if the spinner indicates 4 Ladders, the team has the task of assemblying four ladders 10 with the figure 14 on top of the platform 12. One player of the team attempts to assemble the ladders, while the other team member holds the net 16 in position to receive the figure 14 in the event it should topple off the platform. In the event the figure falls from the platform before the required number of ladders are assembled, the team receives no points and it may be additionally penalized if the figure is not caught in the net.

The ladders are preferably of plastic and sufiiciently flexible to require skill in their assembly without permitting the figure to fall from the platform. In the assembly, the platform 12 is first placed on one of the ladder supporting brackets 20 and the figure 14 is then placed on the platform 12. In order to add further intcrest to the game, the simulated buckets 36 may be filled with water or some other substance. The player is required to support the platform mounted figure and a supporting ladder 10 freely in one hand, while attempting to insert a second ladder bracket 20 at the lower end 26 of the first ladder with the other hand. Then, by shifting his supporting hand to the second ladder, he again attempts to insert a third ladder 10, and so on, until the required number of ladders 10 are assembled in relation to one another, While maintaining the figure 14 in its balanced position on top of the platform 12. A predetermined number of points can be awarded for each ladder 10 thus assembled successfully, and the: game might also provide for the award of additional points for dis-assembling the ladder structure after the required number of sections have been successfully assembled.

Thus, it is seen that there is provided game apparatus which affords the playing of a game requiring skill and which lends considerable excitement during the play of the game. Although shown and described with respect to particular apparatus and a particular form of play, it Will be apparent that various modifications might be made without departing from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of similar, elongated members, each of said elongated members including a bracket portion at one end adapted to supportingly engage the other end of another of said elongated members in extending relation thereto, a platform including a portion engageable With any one of said bracket portions so as to place the upper surface of said platform generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said elongated member, an element removably positionable on said platform, and chance means for determining the number of said elongated members to be sequentially assembled in supporting relation to said platform with said element supported on the latter and with the lowermost elongated member being held erect in the hand of a player.

2. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated ladder members, supporting bracket means at one end of each ladder member adapted to telescopically receive the opposite end of another of said ladder members and support the latter in extending relation thereto, a platform member including means for engaging any one of said supporting bracket means so as to place the upper surface 4 of said platform generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said ladder member, a figure adapted to be freely positioned on said platform member in a standing position, a simulated life net for catching said figure in the event it falls from said platform, and chance means for determining the number of ladder members to be assembled in supporting relation to said platform and figure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1882 Turner 273l 8/1965 Patterson 2731 

